Serious incident in Ely

The Trust has been dealing with a serious incident where a deceased patient was taken from a public place to an ambulance station and not immediately transported to the mortuary following ROLE being declared. Understandably, this has raised a great deal of concern amongst our own staff, the management team including the Board and our external stakeholders. Most importantly, it has caused the family of the patient enormous additional distress.

Treating patients with dignity and respect is equally important, whether they are time critical, non-time critical, at the end of their life and even in death. It is unacceptable to leave a deceased patient at any location other than the hospital or mortuary, unless directed by the police to leave the patient at scene due to forensic issues or crime scene examination. Please cease any local agreements that may be to the contrary with immediate effect.

My experience of the way you deal with patients is generally extremely impressive. You show great care and compassion and the surveys that we receive from our patients are always very positive so I know this does not reflect on the majority of staff. Please continue to treat any patient that you come into contact with the same dignity, respect and compassion that you would want for your own family. 

Tracy Nicholls
Interim Director of Clinical Quality

Published 23rd October 2014